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www.toastmasters.org
TOASTMASTERTOASTMASTERMAY 20
THE MANY FACES OF
MENTORINGHelp others whilehelping yourself
Page 1
22 IS IT RATIONAL TOIGNORE INTUITION?
26 KEEPING MESSACOOL IN GREENLAND
10 SMART TALK WITHCOLUMNIST MARILYN
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2 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
TOASTMASTER
www.toastmasters.org
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
PUBLISHER
MANAGING EDITOR
SENIOR EDITOR
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
JUNIOR WRITER
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
ART DIRECTION
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Daniel Rex
Suzanne Frey
Paul Sterman
Mary Nesfield
Jennie Harris
Julie E. Kim
Susan Campbell
Deidre Gaffney
The TOASTMASTER Magazine (ISSN 00408263) is published monthly byToastmasters International, Inc., 23182 Arroyo Vista, Rancho Santa Margarita,CA 92688, U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at Mission Viejo, CA and additional
mailing ofce. POSTMASTER: Send address change to The TOASTMASTERMagazine, P.O.Box 9052, Mission Viejo, CA 92690, U.S.A.
Published to promote the ideas and goals of Toastmasters International, anonprot educational organization of clubs throughout the world dedicated toteaching skills in public speaking and leadership. Members subscriptions areincluded in the $36 semi-annual dues.
The ofcial publication of Toastmasters International carries authorizednotices and articles regarding the activities and interests of the organization, butresponsibility is not assumed for the opinions of the authors of other articles.The TOASTMASTER magazine does not endorse or guarantee the productsit advertises.
Copyright 2013 Toastmasters International, Inc. All rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.Not responsible for unsolicited material.
Toastmasters International, The TOASTMASTER and the ToastmasterInternational Emblem are trademarks of Toastmasters International registeredin the United States, Canada and many other countries. Marca registrada enMexico. Printed in U.S.A.
TI OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Founder Dr. Ralph C. Smedley(1878-1965)
International President
International President-Elect
First Vice President
Second Vice President
Immediate Past President
Executive Director
Secretary-Treasurer
John Lau, DTMKuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
George Yen, DTMTaipei, Taiwan
Mohammed Murad, DTMDubai, United Arab Emirates
Jim Kokocki, DTMSaint John, New Brunswick, Canad
Michael Notaro, DTMAlameda, California, USA
Daniel RexMission Viejo, California
Sally Newell CohenMission Viejo, California
2012-2013 OFFICERS
James Sultan, DTMKirkland, Washington
Assigned to Region
Mike Barsul, DTMSan Francisco, California
Assigned to Region 2
David McCallister, DTMFort Worth, Texas
Assigned to Region 3
Patricia Hannan, DTMWahoo, Nebraska
Assigned to Region 4
Andrew Little, DTMNew Berlin, Wisconsin
Assigned to Region 5
Lori Lococo, DTMNiagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Assigned to Region 6
Viki Kinsman, DTMOakton, Virginia
Assigned to Region 7
Kristina Kihlberg, DTMPompano Beach, FloridaAssigned to Region 8
Wendy Harding, DTMFredericton, New Brunswick, CanadAssigned to Region 9
Don Griffith, DTMPhoenix, ArizonaAssigned to Region 10
George Thomas, DTMDoha, QatarAssigned to Region 11
Mike Helm, DTMPerth, Western Australia, AustraAssigned to Region 12
Balraj Arunasalam, DTMColombo, Sri LankaAssigned to Region 13
Joseph Gomez, DTMPetaling Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaAssigned to Region 14
2012-2013 DIRECTORS
TOASTMASTERSINTERNATIONAL
P.O. Box 9052 Mission Viejo, CA 92690 U.S.A.
949-858-8255 Fax: 949-858-1207
Voicemail: 949-835-1300
www.toastmasters.org/members
CONTACTING WORLD HEADQUARTERS
For information on joining
or building a club, visit: www.toastmasters.org
Article submission: [email protected]
Letters to the Editor: [email protected]
To change address, log in to:www.toastmasters.org/members
MEMBERS ARE
OUR FUTUREIn 60 days we will reach the end
of the Toastmasters scal year. Howare you doing with your educationalgoals? Is your club on track to earn
Distinguished recognition? How areareas, divisions and districts doing? Every
morning when I wake up, I ask myself,What have I contributed to this globally
inspired organization? My goal is tohelp as many people as possible become
better communicators and leaders. As aresult, I convey the benets and values
of Toastmasters each day to friends andbusiness clients.
Building quality clubs involves payingattention to the needs and aspirations of all Toastmasters members. When
members give manual speeches, participate in Table Topics and take on rolesduring club meetings, they become better communicators and leaders. It is
vital for club and district leaders to help members meet their goals.
When members are in need and request assistance, its an opportunity
to point out the values and benets they reap from our great organization.As Albert Einstein said, When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed
and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hopeand accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make
things better.Our members are our future. Listen to their needs, and inquire about
their aspirations. Invite them to take up leadership roles, and nd out howyou can help them become more effective and efcient leaders. Ask what
you can do to help them gain more satisfaction from being members ofour organization.
In 1997, Mok Chok San, president of Bukit Batok Toastmasters Club inSingapore, requested that I become club vice president education (VPE). I
asked him what the expectations were, and he gave me a detailed explanation.I accepted the position for the 19971998 term because of his leadership.
Performing the duties of VPE inspired me to take on additional leadershiproles as I continuously inquired about new leadership opportunities.
I urge everyone to nish the scal year strong in the next 60 days bylooking after members needs in Toastmasters, where leaders are made. T
VIEWPOINT
Building quality clubs involves paying
attention to the needs and aspirations of
all Toastmasters members.
JOHN LAU, DTM
International President
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3TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
May 2013 Volume 79, No.5
Since 1924, Toastmasters International has been recognized as the leading
organization dedicated to communication and leadership skill development.
Through its worldwide network of clubs, each week Toastmasters helps more
than a quarter million men and women of every ethnicity, education level and
profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the
confidence to lead others.
By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams and guiding
others to achieve their goals, leaders emerge. They learn to tell their stories.
They listen and answer. They plan and lead. They give feedbackand accept it.
They find their path to leadership.
Toastmasters International. Where Leaders Are Made.
DEPARTMENTS
2VIEWPOINT: MEMBERS AREOUR FUTURE
BY JOHN LAU, DTM
International President
4 LETTERS
5 MY TURN: FOR DIPLOMAT,NO MISSION IS IMPOSSIBLEBY THABO KHASIPE
6 AROUND THE GLOBE
1 0Q&A: WITH MARILYN VOS SAVANTIQ CHAMP OFFERS SMART TALK
Parademagazine columnist sharesviews on logic and leadership.
BY DAVE ZIELINSKI
12 NEWS FROM TI: MEET TOAST-MASTERS 2013 GOLDEN GAVELAWARD RECIPIENT: SUSAN CAIN
BY MARY NESFIELD
14 LEADERSHIP: LESSONS FROMTOP BUSINESS LEADERSBY CARMINE GALLO
20 HOW TO: LOOSEN UP!Avoid the stiff mannequin-styledelivery.
BY ERNEST C. DAW, ACG, ALB
30 FUNNY YOU SHOULD SAY THAT:SMART MONEYA financial ignoramus stumbles blindlyinto his retirement years.
BY JOHN CADLEY
31 TRAVELING TOASTMASTER
ARTICLES
26 FROM GREENLANDTO EVERYWHEREHow I kept my cool when speakinglive to a global audience.
BY CARL DUIVENVOORDEN, DTM
28 28 SURPRISING USESFOR YOUR SKILLSEntertain at home, speak up atcity hall, and impress at parties!
BY CAREN S. NEILE, PH.D., ATMS
2622
16
16 THE MANY DIMENSIONS OF MENTORINGStep up to teach, advise, encourage,motivate, learnand lend a listening ear.
BY JENNIFER L. BLANCK, DTM
22 ARE YOU RATIONAL OR INTUITIVE?How to draw strength from twoproblem-solving methods.
BY JUDITH C. TINGLEY, DTM, PH.D.
FEATURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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4 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
LETTERS TO THE TOASTMASTER
donor families and doctors. I deliveredthe speech with many ums and
much nervousness. Realizing howmuch more impactful I could have
been, I joined MINY Toastmasters in2011. I nally rid myself of the but-
teries in my stomach and the llerwords. I now feel not only condent,
but excited about public speaking.In my speeches, I hope to inform
audiences about organ donations bysharing the donor familys perspective.
Thank you, Toastmasters, for giving
me the courage to convey such animportant message.Rakhi Datta
MINY Toastmasters
New York, New York
Think RealisticallyKudos to Judith Tingley for her articlePositive Thinking Debunked in the
January issue. Her timely advice willserve all Toastmasters well. Whereas
we learn in moments of enjoyment, itis quiet persistence behind the scenes
that makes a club work and reachDistinguished status. To paraphrase
Past International President Bob Blakeley,leadership is dened by results, not
simply by positive attributes. Realistic
thinking trumps overly positive rah-rah-we-can-do-it hype.John Lesko, DTM, PDG
Traveling TasteMasters club
Stafford, Virginia
Inspired Introvert
The title of the article The Quiet
Leader caught my attention as Ibrowsed through the December issue.
It had never occurred to me that aquiet person could become an effective
Mastering a Role
Thanks to Toastmasters, I was ableto serve as master of ceremonies
at our annual ofce party. I am thetranslator and interpreter for the
Embassy of Ghana in Mali. When my
boss entrusted me to be the emcee ofGhanas Founder Day event, which isattended by more than 200 university
students and faculty members, myheart raced, especially because I was
a new employee. But when I thoughtabout my success with Toastmasters, I
felt ready to live up to his expectations.I was able to successfully handle
the ceremony because of the encourage-ment of my boss, the students and the
senior Toastmasters who had given
me evaluations in our club.Tidiane Fofana, CC
Bamako-Ciwara Toastmasters club
Bamako, Republic of Mali
Sharing the Message
I love that the February Toastmaster
magazine highlighted a cause thatis near and dear to my heart (and
kidney and liver!). That issue is organdonation. The articles by Darren
Cawley (Proposing a New Life)
and about Johnny Thomas (JohnnyThomas: Hes Got Heart) bothcommunicate the unique, powerful
perspectives of organ recipients. Istand on the other side of the equa-
tion, as a family member of a donor.My moms organs were donated in
2007, bringing my family much joyafter a tragic loss.
In 2009, I spoke about my experi-ence at St. Patricks Cathedral in New
York City, to 1,500 organ recipients,
leader until I read this article by
Michelle Tyler. I discovered there aregreat leaders who help in shaping
the world because they are introvertswho listen, think, share ideas, and
work calmly and efciently. As an
introvert myself, this made me thinkthatlike many people out thereI could also become one of the great
leaders in the world.Roel Basera
TMX Toastmasters
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
Reflectionin the Mirror
Im 68 years old, and while most
members in my Toastmasters clubare looking through the windshield
at their career, Im looking in the rear-view mirror at mine. In my business
life I made more than 250 in-personpresentations to audiences ranging
from 10 to 300 people. Looking back,I was either sellingor tellingthem
something. I wish I had heard aboutToastmasters back then.
That was then. This is now. AndI encourage everyone to join a local
Toastmasters club. The little nuggetsof information greatly improve each
persons communication skills. The IceBreaker speech alone will have you
looking in your own mirrorbefore itquickly becomes the rear-view mirror.Richard Erschik
Homestead Toastmasters
Homestead, Florida
Whereas we learn in moments of enjoyment, it
is quiet persistence behind the scenes that makesa club work and reach Distinguished status.
John Lesko, DTM, PDG
Do you have something to say?
Write it in 200 words or less.Include your name, address andclub afliation, and send it [email protected].
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5TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
MY TURN
Thabo Khasipeis the ambassadorof the Kingdom of Lesotho to the
State of Kuwait, and a memberof the Timbre Talkers club in
Salmiya, Kuwait.
FOR DIPLOMAT, NOMISSION IS IMPOSSIBLE
ignorant of my ignorance. What cameas a surprise to me was how applica-
ble the lessons I learned from the clubmeetings were to my job. American
author Isaac Goldberg says, Diplo-macy is to do and say the nastiest
things in the nicest way. Now, tellme thats not one of the key lessons
of the Toastmasters experience: givinghonest, negative feedback in the most
positive and encouraging manner.
Giving feedback has never beenmy strong point. My personal and
professional relationships are benet-ing from the lessons I have learned
in my club. While in the past I wouldhave dished out a negative comment
about a subordinates work, I nowfocus on the positives and deliver
the negatives as part of a generallypositive package. You would expect
this lesson to have been obvious to
me. Indeed, at a theoretical level, ithas been. However, nothing drivesthe lesson home more than listening
to a positive evaluation of your ownspeech that is also interspersed with
some honest feedback on areas thatneed improvement.
Of the lessons learned, perhapsthe most surprising to me was listen-
ing. I mean, you do not come to aspeakers club to listen, do you?
The Toastmasters club experience
encourages listening and, as a result, isfertile ground for learning from others.
From the moment the meetingstarts, regardless of whether you have a
meeting role, you are constantly tunedin to the speakers gestures, messages
and adherence to speech objectives. Asa member of the audience, you also
support speakers through encouragingfacial expressions and applause while
taking notes for crafting feedback. Do-ing all these tasks is impossible without
attentive listening. I now feel that theaudience is partially responsible for thesuccess of any speech.
In typical Toastmasters evaluation
style, I conclude by pointing out a keychallenge that I face as a club mem-ber and diplomat. At the beginning
of the meeting, the sergeant at armspoints out that talking about politics,
religion and sex is not permitted inour club. And then we are encouraged
to craft speeches around our areas ofexpertise. How do I do that with poli-
tics on the prohibited list? The simpleanswer is diplomats are already very
good at avoiding talking about their
core business of politics.To the evaluator of my nextspeech: Please cut me some slack if I
veer off the speech objectives. In myeld, veering off the speech objec-
tives pays the bills. T
By Thabo Khasipe
Diplomacy is to do and say the
nastiest things in the nicest way. Isaac Goldberg
Iam an ambassador for the
Kingdom of Lesotho, a country
in southern Africa. I have repre-sented Lesotho in the Middle East
since 2008, rst in the Arab Republicof Egypt and now in the State of
Kuwait. As a diplomat, speaking is
one of my key responsibilities. Aftera few years in Kuwait, I recalled my
prior experience in the mid-1990s
as a guest at a Toastmasters club
in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho.
Spurred by my burning desire to
improve my public speaking skills,
I set out to nd a Toastmasters club.
After two visits as a guest, I joinedthe Timbre Talkers club in Salmiya,
Kuwait, as it ticked all the boxes
for me.Having been a member for almost
a year now, I can denitely say it has
been worth it. You see, whether public
or private, speaking is central to thelife of a diplomat. In my case, I want-
ed to polish my public speaking skills,
but I didnt consider my existing skills
too shabby. As a result, I came to the
club with modest expectations.
Boy, was I wrong! It turned out
that I was not only ignorant, but also
Kingdom of Lesotho ambassador
Thabo Khasipe
Please cut me some slack if I veer off the
speech objectives. In my field, veering off
the speech objectives pays the bills.
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6 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
BOTTOM LINE
INTERNATIONAL
INTERPRETATIONSWHATS IN A NAME?
AROUND THE GLOBE
WHATS THE BUZZ?WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TWIST ON TABLE TOPICS?
Members contributed to the discussion on the LinkedIn Official
Toastmasters International Members Group:
My favorite is when the Topicsmaster plays the role of editor of the Toastmastermagazine. Armed with actual article titles to use as prompts, he calls a mock
meeting with members who play the roles of the magazines writers. Theyare each asked to give a brieng about their article. Its a lot of fun, and it
encourages members to read the magazine articles in preparation for the nextTable Topics session.
MARK ANDERSON, ACS, ALB
PPD WILMINGTON TOASTMASTERS, WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
One of my favorites is a Dear Abby theme in which a Table Topics speaker mustact as an advice columnist. The speaker draws a short question written on a slip of
paper, and must respond to that question in the one- to two-minute time frame.MICHAEL BOSTICK, ACB, CL
GOT TOAST? CLUB, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
Donald Walker,
ATMB, a charter
member of the
Hereford Street
Toastmasters in
Christchurch,
New Zealand,
goes for a swim
with three of his
granddaughters
(from left):
Jorgia, 8, Tavia,
5, and Isabella, 11.
He is holding a Toastmastermagazine from 1990,
while Jorgias issue is more current.
Convention Countdown: Featured Foods While inCincinnati this August for the International Convention, taste the local flavors. One of the
areas most famous foods is Cincinnati chili. Enjoy it with spaghetti, cheese, beans and
onions. The citys German heritage is evident in the schnitzels and the Bavarian cooking.
Be sure to also indulge in Graeters Black Raspberry Chip handmade ice cream.
Register before July 26 to receive the full convention package at a discounted rate.
www.toastmasters.org/Convention
William Shakespeare thought arose by any other name would
smell just as sweet. Many people,however, would disagree. Peoples
namesand the conventionsfor choosing themare unique
throughout the world.For example, most Western
cultures follow the personalnamefamily name rule (e.g., SallyBryant). Most Icelandic people,on the contrary, do not use familynames, but emphasize a monikerbased on the fathers first name. Forexample, if Karl has a son namedMagns, his full name is MagnsKarlsson, or Magns Karls son.
When East Asian people suchas the Chinese and Koreans writetheir names in English, some preferto use the Western order (personalnamefamily name). They maywrite their family names in capitalletters to avoid confusion, e.g.,Eunha KIM.
SNAPSHOT
Cincinnati chili
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7TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
MEMBER MOMENTWORKPLACE
PRODUCTIVITY EXPERT
Clare Edwards, CC, is a facilitatorand coach who helps businessesbuild teams, adapt to change andimprove performance. She joinedMaroochydore Toastmasters Clubin Maroochydore, Queensland,Australia, four years ago toovercome her fear of impromptuspeaking. She has since won herareas Table Topics Contest. Aformer manager in the hospitality
and corporate worlds, her goal isto speak internationally.
How has Toastmasters helped
you in your profession?
I now think more clearly whenchallenged or when facilitatingconicts. My skills have improvedsignicantly in those tiny details that evaluators pick up on, such as pacing,breathing, cadence and timbre. I am fully comfortable speaking in a neutralstance, whereas before I was moving all over the stage.
What do you like most about your club?
I love the balance our club has between maintaining the rigor of the processand being fun and informal. Were a cheeky lot, sometimes a little irreverent,yet always respectful. We take the role of mentoring seriously; I have lovedwatching one of our recent members blossom.
What is the most useful thing you gained from Toastmasters?
I think its the feedback process. I can apply this to all areas of my work andlife. Its a special blend of encouraging speakers not to shy away from areas of
development while at the same time showing them the talents they might noteven be aware of.
Learn more about Clare Edwards at change-works.com.au.
MASTER OFCEREMONIES TIPSTHE HOST WITH THE MOST
Serving as master of ceremonies
is a balancing act. You must be
a host, program facilitator,
entertainer, presenter of speakers
and timekeeper, all in one.
Whether you emcee a charity
event or serve as Toastmaster
of your club meeting, these tips
will help.
Keep introductions brief. In his
handbook for emcees, Masterthe Ceremonies, Toastmasters
Accredited Speaker Dana
LaMon, DTM, says introducing
a speaker or performer should
take one to two minutes. Thats
about 100200 written words.
Make people feel welcome.
Use specific information, says
Australian motivational speaker
Rachel Green. For example, To
those of you who have traveled
all the way from Newcastle, abig welcome.
Use original humor. Offer
personal anecdotes rather than
recycled quips, says LaMon. A
humorous story about you and
a notable individual in the audi-
ence, for instance, will go over
better than a poorly told, heard-
before joke.
Translated Manuals Now Available Six manuals from theAdvancedCommunication Seriescan be purchased in the following languages: Arabic, Simplified Chinese,
Traditional Chinese, German, French, Japanese and Spanish. The translated manuals include The
Entertaining Speaker(Item 226A), Speaking to Inform(Item 226B), The Professional Speaker(Item 226G),
Persuasive Speaking(Item 226I), Storytelling(Item 226K) and Humorously Speaking (Item 226O).
Learn more about them at www.toastmasters.org/Shop.
Clare Edwards, CC
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8 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
IN THIS MONTHLY COLUMN,
Accredited Speakers and
Toastmasters World Champions
of Public Speaking share lessons
learned.
Accredited Speaker Dilip R.
Abayasekara, DTM, is a member
of six clubs in the United States and
Sri Lanka. He served as Toastmasters
International President in
20052006.
How do you give a gracious
acceptance speech whenreceiving an award?
A gracious speech features courtesy,
kindness, tact, good taste and
generosity. An award-acceptance
speech has four parts:
Thank the organizationfor the
award. Feel the gratitude in your
heart and express it with sincerity.
Turn the spotlight on others.
Acknowledge those who played a
role in your success. Remind everyone of the larger
vision.Build pride in the organi-
zation and remind the audience
that its calling is greater than any
individual.
End with inspiration. Thank
everyone again. Share an appropriate
quote. Challenge everyone to live
the vision.
FACTS WORTH KNOWING
OLDEST CLUBSSome of the oldest Toastmasters clubs are still in existence, including the
very first club ever founded, which will turn 89 in October. Visit the clubs
websites to learn more about them or email them to find out how they
have withstood the test of time.
ADVICE FROMTHE EXPERTS
FROM THE ARCHIVESIn October 1962, Toastmasters International finally had its own World Headquarters
building, in Santa Ana, California, not far from the YMCA where the first
Toastmasters club met. Members are seen here waiting to tour the building.
*Club membership numbers listed here were recorded in February 2013.
Smedley Chapter 1, 1-F
Tustin, California
Chartered October 1924
28 members*
smedleyclub1.org
Anaheim Club, 2-F
Anaheim, CaliforniaChartered January 1926
13 members
2.toastmastersclubs.org
Los Angeles Toastmasters, 3-52
Burbank, California
Chartered June 1927
19 members
la3toastmasters.wordpress.com
Santa Barbara Toastmasters, 5-33
Santa Barbara, California
Chartered March 1929
26 members
sbtoastmasters.com
Pasadena Club 6, 6-F
Pasadena, CaliforniaChartered September 1929
28 members
pasadena6.toastmastersclubs.org
San Diego Toastmasters 7, 7-5
San Diego, California
Chartered April 1930
40 members
toastmasters7.org
AROUND THE GLOBE
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9TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
DR. SMEDLEY SAYSToastmasters founder Dr. Ralph C. Smedleyshared many insights worth remembering, such as:
Self-expression is one of the
first steps toward leadership.
Sometimes a man gets hold
of an idea, and it shapes his
whole life.
No one has the potential
to influence a members
experience like a mentor. Julia
Hinkle, CC, of the Dobson-
Craddock Toastmasters club in
South Charleston, West Virginia,
wants to recognize her mentor,
who also happens to be her son.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
I retired in July 2011, so I have long hours to fill. My son and mentor,Jason Krantz, ACB, CL, convinced me to attend Dobson-Craddock
Toastmasters meetings. I found it very rewarding, and soon joined.
Tell us about your son. Jason is a trainer for a power company. He is
Area 62 Governor and past president of the Dobson-Craddock club,
where he serves as sergeant at arms.
How does Jason give feedback? We talk on our way to and from
meetings, but we also communicate through email. He is always
honest. When I worked on my Ice Breaker, I read it aloud to him.
Now I try to be more independent.
What is the most important thing you have learned from him? To
share myself through my speeches. People relate to personal stories
that are honestly told.
What specific goals have you accomplished under Jasons guidance?
I took on meeting roles and became club secretary. I earned my
Competent Communicator award in November 2012, and I am
working on my Competent Leader award. I also recently assisted in
officer training.
What is your favorite thing about Jason? His optimism. If a meeting
is poorly attended, Jason sees it as an opportunity to take on another
meeting role or make an impromptu speech.
Q: What inspires you?
A: Encouraging others andthen watching them succeed.One of the greatest gifts you
can give to another personis encouragement. It can be
as simple as briey sayinggood job or as complex as
mentoring someone for a longperiod of time.
It is truly inspiring whenyou are able to see something
in people that they do not seein themselves, and you are able
to encourage them to succeed.That might mean taking on a
leadership role in an organiza-tion, speaking in front of a large
audience or applying for a newjob. In a Toastmasters meeting,thoughtful evaluations provide
constructive feedback alongwith a healthy dose of encour-
agement. Do you feel inspiredafter attending a Toastmasters
meeting? I do, because of thesupportive learning environment
created by encouragement.
MENTOR
MOMENT
LEARNING
ABOUT OUR PAST
INTERNATIONAL
PRESIDENTS
Dr. Ralph C. Smedley18781965
Julia Hinkle (right) with her son and
mentor, Jason Krantz.
Terry Daily, DTMPast International President
19981999
Plymouth, Minnesota
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10 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Q&A WITH MARILYN VOS SAVANT
IQ CHAMP OFFERS
SMART TALKParademagazine columnist sharesviews on logic and leadership.
the educational and social speaking
category in 1999, and that she also isan executive at Jarvik Heart, which
manufactures articial hearts for usein the treatment of heart failure. (Her
husband is Robert Jarvik, inventorof the Jarvik articial heart.) In
addition, vos Savant, who lives inNew York City, is a multipublished
author and was namedamong manyother honorsone of 50 Women of
the New Millennium by the WhiteHouses Vital Voices: Women in
Democracy campaign.Here, vos Savant shares her
thoughts on what goes into writingher Parade column, how she prepares
for speeches, the best ways topersuade audiences, what makes for
effective leadership and more.
Q. What are some of the mostcommon logical fallacies you
see used in formal speeches?
What about in attempts
to persuade others in the
workplace?
A.What I hear and read most oftenare inappropriate analogies. This
bad-analogy problem is rampant in
society today. We see it employed in
everything from speeches at politicalconventions to editorials on all sorts
of subjects.
What I see in the workplace are
appeals to emotions. But emotions
are immediate, and taking long-term
actions based on short-term feelings
is just as bad in our professional lives
as it is in our personal lives.
Some believe the best way
to persuade audiences is with
factual material like data or text;
others believe its with emotional
or relational content like
personal stories. What is the best
way to impact audience thinking
over the long term?
For me, factual material doesnt
work because I know how selective
it can be, and relational material
is typically supercial. Im moreinuenced by examples from many
different contexts and situations, as
varied as possible.
What is the most challenging
question youve received from
a reader?
Taking long-term actions based on short-term
feelings is just as bad in our professional lives
as it is in our personal lives.
Most readers of Parade
magazine are likely familiarwith its popular Ask Marilyn
column, where columnist and author
Marilyn vos Savant responds toquestions and solves puzzles submitted
by readers. The magazine, commonlyinserted in the weekend edition of
U.S. newspapers, has a circulation
of 33 million, making it one of the
largest periodicals in the world. Readerquestions range from the mathematical
to the philosophical to just plainnuts, according to vos Savant.
The fact that questions rarely stumpvos Savant is little surprise, given that
she was listed in the Guinness Bookof World Records for several years as
having the highest IQ for both child-hood and adult scoreswith that IQ
topping out at 228. She has since beeninducted into the Guinness Hall of
Fame for that accomplishment.Whats probably lesser known
is that vos Savant was named byToastmasters International as one of
the years most popular speakers in
By Dave Zielinski
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11TOASTMASTER
MAY 2013Photo by Jim Bastardo
If you saw my mail, you might not
ask! Anyway, heres the question that
I rank Number One in the Least-Likely-
To-Be-Published category: Whichreligion is the correct one and why?Try tackling that sometime!
How much time, on average,
do you spend researching
responses to questions
submitted to your column?
Very little. I dont like to answer
questions that are researchable unlessI think they would be especially inter-
esting to readers.
When you do have to conduct
research, are there any tech-
niques you use that might be
helpful to our readers?
When a fact is needed, I use only
sources that are unassailable, such asthe FDA [Food and Drug Administra-
tion] and NASA [National Aeronau-tics and Space Administration]. Ive
found that most so-called sources arefull of error and bias.
What lessons have you learned
about writing more effectively
in your time as a columnist?
How much space do we have forthis? A book? Well, I suppose one
of the most important things Ivelearned is that everything one says
or writes, no matter how clear, canand will be misunderstood by a largepercentage of people, for reasons too
numerous to list.
Dave Zielinskiis a freelancewriter and frequent contributor
to the Toastmaster.
Many people are dealing
with growing workloads on
the job. What are the best
ways to manage work duties
and still remain effective in
that scenario?
I suggest that people keep in mind
that when they accomplish moreand more, they will be given more
and more to accomplish. You maywant your employers to think you
can do anything and everything,but do you really want them to treat
you that way? If not, keep themadvised while youre still ahead. T
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA
Columnist and author
Marilyn vos Savant says no
matter how clear you speak
or write, you still will be
misunderstood by many.
When you were giving
speeches regularly, what
was your rehearsal routine?
Did you use any specificstrategies to memorize
content?
I always wrote out speeches
beforehand and practiced reading
them several times. This sounds
awful, of course, but it does burn
the content into your brain. Then,
a couple of days before the speech,
I would throw away the papers
and notecards and just talk to (or
with) the audience about the subject.
The presentation is usually moreimportant than the content, anyway.
What are the leadership traits
that you most admire, and why?
I admire a visionary in thought who
is practical in nature. I also admire an
ability to see the overall landscape of
an issue and understand the validity of
the various positions so that effective
agreements can be reached.
Can people be taught to be
effective leaders, or are the
essential qualities inborn?
I think many people can be taught,
but why devote the time and effort?
Arent followers valuable? More
than enough people will want and
learn to be leaders without help. And
born leaders can be effective in
social arenas, but theyre downright
scary in political positions.
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12 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Mary Nesfieldis associate editor forthe Toastmastermagazine.
Meet Toastmasters 2013Golden Gavel Award Recipient:
SUSAN CAIN
publications such as O, The OprahMagazine, which lists it as one of the19 favorite books of the year.
Her TED2012 presentation in Long
Beach, California, titled The Power ofIntroverts, has since generated nearly4 million views. Even Bill Gates
named it one of his all-time favoriteTED Talks.
Educated at Princeton Univer-sity and Harvard Law School, Cain
practiced corporate law for sevenyears before she moved on to become a
negotiations consultant. Her interests liein mentoring, so she used her leader-
ship and communication skills to
train a broad range of clients in theart of negotiation, from hedge fundmanagers to TV producers, and even
college students negotiating their rstsalaries. Companies such as MerrillLynch and the nonprot 100 Women
in Hedge Funds beneted from hertraining methods and expertise.
But ultimately, Cain wanted to ful-ll her childhood dream of becoming a
writer. So she took the time to pursueher goal. She conducted six years of
research in a subject she is passionateabout: the differences between extro-
verts and introverts. A self-proclaimedintrovert herself, she drew on cutting-
edge research in psychology andneuroscience to explore the leadership
potential of introverts. Through herwriting, Cain developed a powerful
voice as an advocate for introverts.Cain touts the often undervalued
qualities of introverted people andthe contributions they can make to
the world, both professionally andpersonally. After all, she says, Introverts
have been changing the world for along time, from van Gogh to Charles
Darwin to Steve Wozniak.Soon after Quietwas published,
Cain was giving media interviewsand speeches around the world. In
preparation, she challenged herselfby joining a local Toastmasters club.
But Cain would remain true to thequiet, soft-spoken person she is: Im
focused on communicating in a stylethats authentic to my personality,
she wrote on her blog in 2011.Cain developed a Toastmasters
speech on the topic of encouragingintroverts to speak up, which led to
her TED2012 speech in Long Beach,California. She says her Toastmasters
training helped her overcome hernervousness about speaking in frontof the large global TED audience.
Because of all the practice I got bydelivering speeches in front of the sup-
portive members of my Toastmastersclub, I had the condence to do it. T
By Mary Nesfield
NEWS FROM TI
Susan Cainwill speak at the Golden
Gavel Dinner on Friday, August 23,at the Toastmasters International
Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.For convention details and registra-
tion, please visit www.toastmasters.
org/Convention. For more infor-
mation about Susan Cain, visitthepowerofintroverts.com .
At the 2013 International
Convention this August inCincinnati, Ohio, Toastmasters
International will honor Susan Cain
with the prestigious Golden Gavelaward for her inuential researchin how introverts lead and communi-
cate. Author of the best-selling bookQuiet: The Power of Introverts in aWorld That Cant Stop Talking, and acelebrated TED speaker, Cain speaks
and writes about the valuable skillsintroverts can bring to the world.
What an incredible honor tobe selected for the Golden Gavel
award, says Cain, who credits Toast-
masters with helping her feel morecomfortable onstage. I wish I couldgo back and tell myself of three years
agomy pre-Toastmasters, terried-of-public-speaking selfthat such
a thing [the Golden Gavel award]would come to pass. I would have
thought it impossible.The Golden Gavel award is
given annually to an individualdistinguished in the elds of com-
munication or leadership. Pastrecipients include Stephen Covey,
Debbi Fields Rose, Zig Ziglar, DeepakChopra, Art Linkletter and Dr. Joyce
Brothers. (See www.toastmasters.org/GoldenGavel for a complete list.)
Cains work has struck a power-ful chord. Her 2012 book Quiethitthe best-seller lists of publications
such as The New York Times, TheWashington Post, Los Angeles Times
and Publishers Weekly. The bookgained additional recognition through
t the 2013 International
Susan Cain
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13TOASTMASTER SEPTEMBER 2011
ADVERTISEMENT
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14 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
How five high-profile executivesinspire faith in their brands.
By Carmine Gallo
the story behind the new productsin images and text. Im not advocat-
ing that you ditch PowerPoint. Iam recommending that you ditch
PowerPoint as we know itdull,wordy and overloaded with bullet
points. You can have great ideasbacked up by data and logic, but
if you dont connect with people
emotionally, it doesnt matter.
Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer
Marissa Mayer is apersuasive speaker
who understandsthe power of
storytelling. WhenMayer was the
vice president ofsearch products at
Google, she was known for launch-
ing products with minimal slides anda multitude of stories. In September2010, she launched the search technol-
ogy Google Instant at San FranciscosMuseum of Modern Art. Instead of
talking about the products featuresand benefits, as most speakers would
have done, Mayer told a story.She took the audience back to
1935, the year the museum acquiredHenri Matisses painting Woman
with a Hat. If you searched for
information on that piece in 1935,
it would have taken you two days,Mayer said. She took her audience
on a journey, telling listeners a storyabout how difficult it was to search
for information before the adventof the computer, the CD-ROM and
other technology. Then she said,What took you two days in 1935
will now take you three seconds withGoogle Instant. The audience loved
it. Instead of bombarding her listen-ers with facts, figures and technology
jargon, she told them a story instead.
Microsoft executive Panos Panay
When the new
MicrosoftSurface tablet
was introducedin October 2012,
the reviews weremixed. However,
commentatorsseemed to agree that the executive
giving the launch presentationwas an impressive communicator.
Timemagazine technology editorHarry McCracken tweeted that
Panos Panaygeneral managerof Microsoft Surfacehas about
10,000% more passion than theaverage product guy.
To inspire is to elicit a fervent
enthusiasm. Inspiring leadersare communicators who get
their audience members excited aboutbrands, products and ideas. Through
their presentations, a number oftodays high-profile leaders of global
companies are transforming the waybrands are pitched, and in doing so,
provide fresh and interesting modelsto emulate. Heres a look at five of
those leaders.
Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos
The next time you
deliver an importantPowerPoint presen-
tationa productlaunch, investor
pitch or speech to anew clienttake a
cue from Jeff Bezosand ditch the bullet points. When
Bezos unveiled the Kindle Fire HDin September 2012, his presentation
slides were light on text and heavy onimages. Bezos strategy isnt new, of
course, yet its so rarely executed thatit seems fresh to many people.
The typical PowerPoint slide has40 words. In Bezos presentation, it
was nearly impossible to find a com-bined 40 words on 10slides. He told
LESSONS FROM
TOP BUSINESS LEADERS
LEADERSHIP
Jeff Bezos photo courtesy of Amazon.com. Marissa Mayer photo courtesy of GooglePanos Panay photo courtesy of Microsoft
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15TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
Carmine Gallo is a keynote
speaker and communicationscoach. His books include the best-
selling The Presentation Secrets
of Steve Jobs. Learn more atcarminegalloacademy.com.
Great product launches have a
wow momentthat one momentin a demonstration where you say to
yourself, I want one of those! Panayproduced one such moment when he
held the tablet at arms length andthen dropped it on the stage. Every-
body told me not to do that, butIve got to tell youits not going to
break, said Panay. You can actually
drop it in 72 different ways. Twitterexploded when Panay dropped thetablet. He knew it would.
Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff
If you want to
command theattention of anaudience, take a
lesson from MarcBenioffs keynote
at Dreamforce 2012in San Francisco.
(Dreamforce is Salesforces annualuser conference.) Benioff rarely stayedon the stage; instead, he walked
among tens of thousands of peoplein the audience. He didnt simply
walk toward the front rowhewalked through the audience to the
last row of the auditorium, making itdifficult for the video operators and
photographers to keep up.Breaking down the wall between
the stage and your audience is a tech-nique reserved for the most confident
presenters. To use it effectively, aspeaker must be confident, passion-
ate and prepared. Benioff is confidentabout Salesforce.com and its ability
to help companies use the cloud to
transform the way they manage theirsales teams and do business through
social media. But while Benioff is sureof his message, he also rehearses for
each major presentation. He gave thetwo-and-a-half-hour keynote with no
notes. He shared the stage by inter-viewing special guests. Benioff knew
where certain people were sitting in
the audience and called upon thosepeople in an interview-style conversa-tion. These individuals included the
CEO of General Electric, the CEO
of Virgin America and motivational
guru Tony Robbins.Its hard to think of anyonewho can upstage Tony Robbins,
but Benioff came close. Benioff is acharismatic communicator because
he breaks down barriers between thespeaker and the audience. When you
can do that well, the audience willremember you.
Founder of the Virgin Group,
Richard Branson
No entrepreneursells himself quitelike Sir Richard
Branson, founder ofthe Virgin Group,
a conglomerateof more than 400
companies, including Virgin AtlanticAirways. How the illustrious Eng-
lishman pitches products providesvaluable lessons for CEOs, managers,
business owners, entrepreneurs and
aspiring leaders. I spoke recently toBranson about his latest book, Likea Virgin: Secrets They Wont Teach
You at Business School. He notes in
the book that a business pitch shouldbe confident, concise and clear. Why
cant businesspeople speak simply,free of jargon and confusing con-
cepts? I asked him.I cant speak for other people but
dyslexia shaped myand Virginscommunication style, Branson said.
From the beginning, Virgin usedclear, ordinary language. If I could
quickly understand a campaign con-cept, it was good to go. If something
cant be explained off the back of anenvelope, its rubbish.
Too many business professionalsunderestimate the power of simplicityin pitching their ideas or presenting
their products. An early Google
investor once told me that if anentrepreneur cannot explain hisproduct or idea in fewer than 10
words, an investor loses interest.Clearly, Branson values simplicity as
well. In his book, Branson says heonce pitched a business plan that fit
on a beer mat. The idea was for alow-cost domestic airline in Australia
to take on the Qantas and Ansettairlines. That beer mat pitch became
Virgin Blue, now Virgin Australia.
Each of these five leaders capturesour imagination with bold visions,outstanding execution and inspiring
presentations. T
Great product launches have a wow moment
that one moment in a demonstration where you
say to yourself, I want one of those!
Marc Benioff photo courtesy of Salesforce.com.Richard Branson photo courtesy of stocklight/Shutterstock.com.
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16 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
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17TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
you structured feedback, she says.Its not about someone who can do
something for you, but rather some-one you can bounce ideas off of.
Skill Development
New Toastmasters often rely on men-tors for help with their rst three to ve
speeches. Mentors help them learn and
rene new skills and ensure that theirspeeches are focused on goals related tothe manuals. Although speakers receive
feedback after their speeches, they some-times seek guidance beforegiving their
presentation as well. Mentors can alsohelp speakers brainstorm speech topics.
Even veteran members can learnnew ideas and try new approaches or
styles, says Petillot.
Inspiration and Motivation
Sometimes a member reaches a plateau.When this happens, a mentor can en-courage that member to move forward
by suggesting new activities, such asparticipating in a contest or serving as
a club ofcer. In addition, mentors helpToastmasters establish realistic but am-
bitious goals and hold them account-able to an action plan. This motivation
helps new members get a strong startand inspires new or veteran members
to remain active in their clubs.
Step up to teach, advise, encourage, motivate,learnand lend a listening ear.
By Jennifer L. Blanck, DTM
educational program and assist themin their Toastmasters debut, she says.
But the information mentors pro-vide isnt restricted to the club level.
They also shed light on the overall in-ternational structure of Toastmasters.Oftentimes they also provide insighton public speaking or leadership
issues beyond Toastmasters. A mentorcan be the person you turn to for any
question you may have.The benets of having a mentor
apply to the corporate world, as well.Megan Pfaff, supply chain supervi-
sor within Pepsis division of Quakerproducts, is just starting to participate
as a mentee in the companys mentor-ing program. She anticipates a range
of potential benets, which includegaining access to senior leaders at Pep-
si and learning about other divisionsand jobs throughout the company.
Pfaff says its important to take thetime to nd the right mentor. Find
someone who is high-level, someoneyoure comfortable with and can give
MENTORINGTHE MANY DIMENSIONS OF
Are you looking for ways
to develop your skills, stay
motivated, receive support orgain the understanding of an insider?
Then its time to get a mentor or two.Working with a mentorboth inside
and outside of Toastmastersoffersmany benets.
For new Toastmasters, mentors
help demystify the many aspects ofclub membership, such as club roles,
norms, protocols and processes.These experienced members also
provide insight into the Toastmas-ters communication and leader-
ship tracks, helping members workthrough the manuals.
Odile Petillot, DTM, formerDistrict 59 Governor and a mem-
ber of multiple clubs in Paris, saysnewcomers take comfort in knowing
theyll have a veteran to help thembegin their journey. New members
are aware that they will be associatedwith more seasoned members whowill help them better understand the
re you looking for ways
When mentees are mentored correctly, their
confidence and self-esteem skyrocket. Not
only that, they strive forward a lot quicker.
Vicki Wilson, ACG
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18 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Moral Support
Mentors also help club members stay
positive and focused. They provide
a friendly face in the crowd and
a supportive ear to listen to their
hopes and fears. When mentees are
mentored correctly, their condence
and self-esteem skyrocket. Not
International to recognize members
involved in the program.
Different types of mentoring
opportunities are available. Whethernewly formed or decades old, any
club should consider these options:
One-on-one relationship:This
type of coaching pairs a mentor with a
also exists in the business world. For
example, at Deloitte Consulting LLP
a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP, the global
professional services rmformal and
informal mentoring programs exist.
Deloitte has an apprentice model,
says Tiffany Plowman, a manager at
Deloitte Consulting. Coaching and
mentoring happen on a day-to-day ba-
sis as people do their work. She also
emphasizes the importance of having
more than one mentor, and connecting
with different people based on their
strengths. You shouldnt rely on just
one person for everything, says Plow-
man. Instead of looking at mentoring
as a singular relationship, she suggests
envisioning it as a network of people
who can coach or guide you through-
out your career.
In addition to participating in men-
toring programs in your club, you can
look to your alma mater for mentoring
opportunities. The University of Mary-
lands School of Public Policy offers a
mentor program to its former students.
We tell students they are building a
team to help them with their career
development, says Bryan Kempton,
the schools career services and alumni
relations director. They get advice,
nd jobs and gain feedback.
Challenges
Mentoring programs also have their
challengesnamely, that theres no
guarantee the relationship between
the mentor and mentee will work.
Wilson says its important that men-
tees have a say in the pairing. She
suggests program coordinators give
mentees the opportunity to reject an
assigned mentor and request another.
Its also essential to establish guide-
lines for the relationship. Whether
its through a structured program or
a decision made between mentor and
mentee, its important to set param-
eters and discuss expectations at the
beginning of the relationship. Its also
mentee for a specied number of
speeches or time period. The traditional
model is person-to-person contact;
however, mentoring can also be con-
ducted remotely by communicating
through the use of email, telephone or
webcam. Wilson uses email in all of her
mentoring relationships. She says, The
only thing that email does not work
for is body language, pronunciation
and ums and ahs. This is hopefully
rectied by mentors when they listen to
their mentees at the club meeting.
Assignment or project mentor:
This mentoring relationship exists for
a specic assignment only. An exam-
ple is the High Performance Leader-
ship program. However, this arrange-
ment can be made for any project,
speech or other specied activity.
Group mentor:Group mentoring
provides a pool of people who are
available to mentees, or even for each
others purposes. Pfaff says Pepsi has
a traditional mentoring program, aswell as a group program called Men-
toring Circles. Pepsi encourages you
to have a range of mentors, which al-
lows you to gain exposure to different
disciplines and higher-level opportuni-
ties, she notes
Formal vs. informal:Clubs can
offer formal mentoring programs, but
they can also encourage informal men-
toring relationships. That dynamic
only that, they strive forward a
lot quicker, says Vicki Wilson,
ACG, a member of the Whitehorse
Toastmasters in Melbourne, Australia.
Mentors Benefit Too
Mentors also learn from mentees.
By assisting someone else, they im-
prove their own speaking skills as well
as other abilities. Petillot, a longtime
mentor, says, Mentoring is an excel-
lent way to develop leadership skills
and learn how to listen efciently, how
to teach somebody else, and how to
pass on good tips one has learned.
She also cites the emotional rewards
of helping others grow and ourish. I
nd it extremely satisfying to work as a
mentor; you can feel great pride while
witnessing your protg develop and
become a great speaker. Plus, many of
them have also become real friends.
Club Benefits
Clubs also benet from mentoring pro-
grams. When members are satised,
the result is higher member retention
for a club. The same principle applies
in business and other organizations. If
your club or organization doesnt have
a mentoring program, suggest starting
one. Toastmasters Internationals Suc-
cessful Club Series includes a mentor-
ing module that helps clubs establish
a program. Mentor pins can also
be purchased through Toastmasters
Even veteran members can learn new
ideas and try new approaches or styles.
Odile Petillot, DTM
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19TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
Jennifer L. Blanck, DTM,is
the founder of the GeorgetownToastmasters club at GeorgetownUniversity in Washington, D.C.
She is a freelance consultant andwriter with more than 14 years
of experience in higher educationand seven years in public affairs.
vital that the mentee take the initia-tive throughout the relationship. As
Kempton says, The onus of responsi-
bility is on the mentee.But you dont need a structured
program to have a mentor. Mentors
get built into your life, Kempton says.They can come from your place of em-
ployment, your volunteer activities or
other aspects of your life. Sometimesthe relationship occurs naturally, andsometimes its necessary to be proac-
tive in creating a relationship.Caitlin Halferty, a management
consultant based in San Francisco,California, says she identied her
mentor based on the work he hadaccomplished for her organization.
Then she asked if he was willing to
meet with her. He was.If I want to stay in my current
role, I often ask my mentor about new
skills or training I can explore acquir-ing to strengthen my performance,
You can create your own groupmentoring program through profes-
sional online communities such as the
LinkedIn Ofcial Toastmasters Interna-tional Members Group. One way or an-other, its a good idea to develop mentor
relationships in your life. Toastmastersis an ideal place to make that possible.
As Petillot says, A mentor-menteerelationship is denitely a win-win
situation, and one of the keys of theToastmasters education program. T
Halferty says. If I want to move to a
new role, I ask advice on a transitionplanidentify skills or experience
gaps and how to address and ll them.I dont come to our meetings unpre-
pared and expect my mentor to suggesttopics to cover. I make sure to follow
up on any suggested action items.
Mentors provide a friendly face in the
crowd and a supportive ear to listen to
[members] hopes and fears.
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20 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
HOW TO
My greatest lesson in public speaking occurred
while delivering my fourth speech in the Competent
Communication manual. I practiced it four nights
in a row, timing the speech and memorizing sentences. Whenthe time came to deliver it, I strode condently to the lectern,
but I was nervous.During the delivery, I suddenly lost focus. I became distract-
ed by my own voice, and the seemingly ugly, dreadful noisesit was making. I hesitated and lost my train of thought. My
voice, body and mind stiffened, and I felt like a departmentstore mannequin.
The seven minutes felt like years. All the rehearsing didntsave me from the obstacles I faced as I spoke, but I gotthrough it.
Weve all been told that preparation is the key to success,but that means much more than writing and rehearsing the
words of a speech. When performing on stage, actors rely onthe voice, body and mind to not only create a character, but to
communicate that character to an audience.The same concept applies to public speaking. Although a
public speaker may not be creating a character, the ultimate goalis the sameits communication. Even the best speech writer can
come up short if his body lacks agility and his mind lacks focus.The following tips can help you loosen up your voice, body and
mind for your next speech.
Vocal Preparation
We all recognize when a delivery is monotone or a rhythm
is repetitious. The enemy of the speaker is sameness, saysPatricia Fripp, an executive speaking coach.
Vocal variety is a product of the mind, but we often neglectour vocal system. This system comprises the tongue, mouth,
vocal cords, facial muscles and the diaphragm, which allowsus to breathe. By readying this system, you can deliver
a wider range of sounds.Prior to speaking, stand or sit in an upright position and
relax. Slowly breathe in through your nose, hold your breathfor two seconds, and then slowly exhale through your nose.Repeat this process, imagining your chest cavity is a balloon
By Ernest C. Daw, ACG, ALB
LOOSEN UP!Avoid the stiffmannequin-style delivery.
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21TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
Ernest C. Daw, ACG, ALB, is sergeant
at arms at Blue ExpressionsToastmasters club in Newark,
New Jersey, where he has beena member since 1997.
lling up with air. Feel your diaphragm
expand down toward your pelvis.When you release the air, feel your
diaphragm contract inward andupward, pushing out air through your
mouth. After a few cycles, you shouldbegin to feel relaxed and centered.
Next, introduce your vocal cords tothe routine. Emit a relaxed sound upon
each exhale. The nature of the sounddoesnt matterjust keep your throatrelaxed and your mouth open. The
sound will resemble a low hum. Rec-ognize this sound as your true voice
the centered, relaxed sound of you.
like the ones listed below. Begin slowly,and then speed up the delivery whilemaintaining perfect enunciation.
A giggling gaggle of geeseA box of biscuitsPeter Piper picked a peckof pickled peppersIrish wristwatchUnique New YorkRed leather, yellow leather
Body Preparation
Agility facilitates communication, anda tense body is not agile. To gain a
better connection with your audience,
course? Have you ever drawn a blank
during a presentation? By centering
yourself, clearing your mind and
practicing visualization, you canavoid these types of obstacles. In
the days before your speech, visualize
your speech from the audiences
perspective. See yourself at the lectern
and hear yourself speaking. Considerthese questions and adjust the mental
image of your speech to draw a morefavorable audience response.
What are you doing that is
most effective?
What about your speech is
particularly moving, and why?
What about your presentation
is funny?
What questions do you haveabout the speechs content?
Are you, as a listener, movedto action, better informed or
entertained?
I remember the feeling I hadthe rst time I used these warm-up
exercises. I felt more alert, and more
capable of directing my energy whileon stage. Rather than monitoringevery action and word, I focused on
being my character and connectingwith others.
I nd that I am more relaxed, con-dent and self-aware if I spend about
10 minutes in a private place complet-ing these exercises. Spend whatever
time you can on these exercises, andloosen up! These techniques will not
only help you be better prepared,
youll also build condence. Giveyourself the best possible chance ofsuccess. As Craig Valentine, the 1999
World Champion of Public Speaking,says: If I can see it, I can be it! T
properly prepare your body by
releasing any tension beforehand.
Most tension lies in the shoulders
and upper torso. You can release this
kind of tension in the following way:Stand upright with your feet directly
beneath your shoulders. Dont
lock your kneesmaintain a slightbounce in the joints. Push yourshoulders back in a comfortable way,
and allow your chest to rest directlyover your center-of-gravity. Letyour arms hang at your sides, with
your hands open. Try to release anytension in your body by imagining
you are a puppet on a string capableof performing any desired motion.
Roll your shoulders, rst forward,
then backward.
Roll your hips in a circularmotion, rst clockwise, and then
counterclockwise.
Return to the position in the rst
step. From this position, you can
move or gesture more easily, and
communicate more fully.
Mind Preparation
Have you ever been distracted while
speaking, only to be thrown off-
Dont make the mistake of
overlooking the role the mouth playsin speaking by overemphasizing the
vocal cords and what goes on inthe throat. We take articulation for
granted, thinking we do it naturally.
The lips and tongue determine
diction. And dont assume everyaudience member has top-notch
hearing. Listeners may not capture
and comprehend our every word.
As you prepare to speak, limber
up your face, mouth and tongue by
conducting these exercises, preferably
in front of a mirror:
1Relax your cheek musclesby
massaging them with your hands.
Dont be concerned with looking silly
(you probably will!), and notice how
your face feels afterward.
2Continue to stretch all the mus-
cles in your face and head. Slowly
work your jaw, and move your brow
up and down. The more you stretch,
the more agile your muscles become.
3Move your tongueto explore
your mouth while it is closed.
Next, open your mouth and stretch
your tongue beyond your lips in all
directions. Then recite tongue-twisters
Agility facilitates communication,
and a tense body is not agile.
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22 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
How to draw strength from
two problem-solving methods.
Have you noticed the manyopportunities to be a leader in Toast-
masters? Have you seen notices about available leadership positions at
work or in the community? Have you jumped in with both feet or felt
hesitant? Leadership is hot. Its mentally stimulating and even fun. The world at
large, with all its problems and needs, is clamoring for more women and men to
step up and help solve problemsboth big and small.
Brian Tracy, author of How the Best Leaders Lead, writes, Your entiresuccess as a person and a leader is determined by your ability to solve
problems effectively and well. Whatever title is written on your business
card, your real job is problem solver.
When I read Tracys comment, I thought, What better setting than
Toastmasters to learn and practice problem solving and other
leadership skills?
Club and district leaders solve problems on a regularbasis. When you, as a functionary, do a particularly
good job of solving problems, you become a leader
and role model for other club members to emulate.
District 32 Governor Mary Morrison, ACG,
CL, from Tacoma, Washington, approaches prob-
lem solving as a collaborative process. She says,
I like to gather people with knowledge andinformation about a problem and facilitate a
conversation that each club can relate to.
In such a process, the group identies
problems clearly, comes up with potential
solutions, makes decisions, takes action and
plans for follow-ups; its a rational problem-
solving process.
Thinking Rationally
I rst heard about rational problem solving asa rst-year nursing student at the University of
ARE YOU
RATIONAL
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23TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
By Judith C. Tingley, DTM, Ph.D.
Michigan. I didnt get it. I wondered what solving problems had to do with givingan injection. What I did know was that memorizing the steps ofany nursing procedure was more difcultthan understanding the problemthat the procedure was meantto solve: for example, howto keep a patient free frominfection or as comfortableas possible after surgery.
Throughout my schooling,instructors discussed problemsolving. I nally understood. Thestep-by-step process is a reliable andeffective pattern for thinking that canbe used for problem solving in varioussituations, including nursing.
Elena Brenna, ACB, CL, a mem-ber of U Speak Easy Toastmasterson Bainbridge Island in Washing-ton, says she is naturally inclinedtoward rational problem solving
in most aspects of her life. Sheattributes her style to her inde-pendent bent, which sends her toresearch the facts, make a plan,and execute and evaluate the planin collaboration with others.
Brian Tracy suggests 10 stepsfor rational problem solving:
Dene the problem.
Ask yourself, What else isproblematic?
Intuitive?or
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24 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
not only more solutions, but morecreative solutions. This research also
notes that we each have a preference
for either the rational or the intuitivestyle, and that we tend to stick with
the style we prefer.Marcia Reynolds, leadership
coach, founding member of the
International Coach Federation andauthor of Outsmart Your Brain!,
says, I am by nature an intuitive
problem solver, although I have triedto be more rational over the years,
especially in running my business.
It was her intuition, however, that
prompted her to leap into coachingand help found the ICF.In contrast, Harry Wolfe, ACS,
ALB, of Park Central Toastmasters in
Phoenix, Arizona, was solidly rationalas president and treasurer of the club.
I just dont trust intuition, or any
other way of solving problems, hesays, although he admits to occasion-
ally following a nonrational hunch.
The late Steve Jobs was viewed bymany, including his biographer Walter
Isaacson, as a genius and an intuitiveproblem solver whose success was
based on his unique style of thinking.
Bill Gates, in contrast, and more ttingwith the perception of techno geeks,
used the rational style of problem
solving in leading Microsoft.
Producing Aha Moments
Intuitive problem solving is an auto-
matic thinking process. It can pro-duce aha moments for people who
prefer it and are familiar with using it.Wilma Koutstaal, a cognitive neuro-
scientist and the author of The Agile
Mind, shares some tips to increase
your aha moments:Consider this problem: You want
to move into an open managementposition at work, but your boss
doesnt seem to be considering you.You ask yourself, How can I inuence
my boss to think of me as a candidatefor a management position?
than an excellent solution weakly pur-sued. When we take action to solve aproblem, and the action doesnt resultin a solution, we still gain informationthat may ultimately lead to a solution.
The Benefits of Talking to YourselfRecent research reveals a quirky sideto the rational process. Talking outloud to yourself as you go through thesteps of problem solving improves thechances of a successful outcome. Byhearing yourself vocalize each step,you can avoid going off on uselesstangents or following mistaken logic.Ive done thistalking out loud tomyselffeeling foolish and laughing atmyself, but nding it helpful.
For years I believed rationalproblem solving was the only wayfor smart people to solve problems.Then a research study in a 2011academic journal, Psychology ofAesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts,set me straight. The study indicatesthere is another valid style of prob-lem solvingits called the intuitiveapproach. The study says intuitiveproblem solving has advantages over
the rational system as it produces
Restate the problem in a way thatis clear and helpful in solving theproblem.
Determine all possible causes of
the problem.
Determine a variety of possiblesolutions.
Decide which solution to try rst.
Assign responsibility for the solution.
Set a timeline.
Implement the plan.
Evaluate the outcome. If the problemisnt solved, go back to the rst step.
You may have your own system.It may be shorter and almost auto-
matic for you. However, you may
want to consolidate Tracys steps andpractice this leadership exercise. Itis an analytic, deliberate, conscious
and cyclical process. If you cant (ordont) choose a possible solution as
you run through the steps, start overand redene the problem or settle on
a solution, even if it isnt ideal.Tracy quotes George S. Patton,
the famous U.S. Army general, aboutproblem solving: A weak solution
vigorously carried out is usually better
WHICH METHOD IS BEST?Last year I led a workshop at 2012 Open Mic Science, a monthly dis-
cussion about science topics held on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
I asked the audience of about 50 people whether they preferred the
rational or intuitive style of problem solving. The majority identified
with the rational style, about one-third somewhat sheepishly said
they were intuitive, and one member said she preferred using both
styles. A few people werent sure.
Audience members asked, Which style works best? A light-
hearted, funny, but definitely competitive conversation ensued,
featuring comments such as: Those rational problem solvers are no
funtheyre so serious and boring. My husband is always telling
me the right way is his rational way and any other way is illogical.
I always thought those intuitive types were in la-la land. My wife
does that intuitive thing, and it drives me crazy! Research indicates
that men tend to use the rational style more often, and women
more often use the intuitive style.
Harmony was restored at the workshop when all audience members
understood that using both styles of problem solving at the same
time, for the same problem, leads to the best solutions. Respect for
gender and style differences was renewedat least for the moment.
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25TOASTMASTER MAY 2013
Judith C. Tingley, DTM, Ph.D.,
is a member of U Speak Easy
Toastmasters on Bainbridge Islandin Washington. A psychologist,
author and freelance writer, herrecent focus is reading and writing
about new brain science. Visit herblog at intelligentwomenonly.com.
Ponder the problem as a question
in your mind during a quiet routinetime, such as before bedtime, on a
walk or run, in the shower or whenfolding laundry.
Leave the question aloneunanalyzed and untouched.
Pay attention to dreams and random
thoughts so when the answer popsinto your mind you will see or hear it.
Seek new experiences, such as starting
a new hobby, making a new friend ortaking a different route to work.
Engage in brief meditation. It
enhances the intuitive problem-solving process.
Although Elena Brenna, ACB, CL,the member of U Speak Easy Toast-
masters, prefers a rational approachto problems, she says she turns to her
intuition, hunches and just plain gut
feelings when people and personalityissues arise. Past experiences with
similar people and behaviors help
her arrive at possible solutions. Shesright on, notes Koutstaal, who says
the best problem solvers routinely use
both stylesrational and intuitive
regardless of their preference. The latest
neuroimaging research has identied
the brain patterns of these super prob-
lem solvers. The rational process takes
longer, and is deliberate. The intuitive
style takes less time, and is automatic.
Together they produce the most creative
and practical solutions to problems.
Participating in Toastmastersenlivens our thinking process, pushes
us to be creative, and invites us to
accept new challenges. Lets takeadvantage of the possibilities to
ramp up our problem-solving andleadership skills in our clubs and
districts, at work and at home, and inour neighborhoods and communities.
Marquita Herald, author andblogger, says, Problem solving is like
building muscles; the more you do it,the stronger and more condent you
will become. And the better leader,mentor and role model you will
become.As for me, Im off to the brain
gym to see if I can get my intuitivethinking jump-started. T
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26 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
FROM GREENLAND
TO EVERYWHEREHow I kept my cool when speakinglive to a global audience.
By Carl Duivenvoorden, DTM
because it seemed to have potentialfor technical glitches.
I practiced until I knew my presenta-tion slide by slide, word by word and
gesture by gesture. I tried to anticipateand plan foranything that could gowrong. In addition, I wanted to tune in
to watch, and hopefully learn from, thepresenters who spoke before me.
From Indoors to Open Air
Plans changed when organizers rec-ognized that, among all the locations,
Ilulissat presented a unique opportu-nity. Instead of speaking indoors to
a live audience, I was asked to speakdirectly to the camera from an out-
door deck, with the ice-strewn fjordas a backdrop. The dramatic sight of
icebergs behind me as I spoke would
Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gorewas slated to speak in the 24th hour.
I was scheduled for Hour 22 andwould participate from Greenland.
Working with a producer, camera-
man and satellite technician, I was setup to speak at Hotel Iceord in the
small town of Ilulissat. The hotel over-looked the fjord (a narrow inlet of the
sea) where the iceberg that sunk theTitanic is believed to have originated. I
have delivered many speeches, but theprospect of speaking live to a global
audience brought back an unwelcomefriend: nervousness. How would I do?
How would my message be received?My unease was compounded by
the remote siteIlulissat is 250 kilo-meters north of the Arctic Circle
In 2011, I took part in 24 Hoursof Reality, a marathon program toincrease awareness about climate
change. It was a wonderful opportunityfor methe program was live streamed
via the Internet to a global audience.Im a longstanding Toastmaster, but this
event tested my skills to the limit. Afterall, speaking live to viewers around the
world is quite a challenge.Participating in24 Hours of Reality
also taught me valuable lessons aboutspeaking when things dont go as
planned.
The Setting
Coordinated from New York City, the
program included 23 volunteer pre-senters speaking at 7 p.m. local timefrom cities around the world, including
The author (above) spoke to a live
global audience from this deck in
remote Ilulissat, Greenland.
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27TOASTMASTER
MAY 2013
reinforce my message. Because I
would now be speaking outdoors, Icould not use slides for my presenta-
tion. I felt condent I could handlethe change, since I had some previous
TV-related experience.However, the night before my
presentation I discovered the hotelsInternet connection couldnt support
live streaming video. So much forviewing the previous speakers. Oh
well, I thought. Ill just do a practicerun-through once the camera is set
up tomorrow.The day of the presentation
dawned bright, sunny and cool. Thetechnical team began setting up on
the host introduced me. Suddenly, we
were streaming live!But circumstance still held a few
surprises. I remembered to silencemy phone when I set up the timer,
but about 10 minutes into my presen-tation, I realized I should have set it
to airplane mode, which would haveprevented the phone from receiving
calls, emails and text messages. Anemail arrived, and the vibration of
the phone resonated loudly on thesteel chairs. It startled the camera-
man. I struggled to maintain a steadygaze and pace as he frantically ducked
around the tripod, trying to gure outthe source of the noise.
2Body language and vocalvariety are always important,but they are especially critical in
front of the camera. Gestures mustbe smooth and compact to stay
within the eld of view, but theymust also be strong and precise. The
voice must be clear and measured,with a special emphasis on tonal
variation. (I thought I was usingplenty of vocal variety, but a review
of the video indicates I should haveused more.)
3
Things dont always go as
planned.Sometimes we needto exercise our leadership skills and
help direct circumstances; othertimes we just need to roll with them.
4When its live, the show mustgo on.When distractions andglitches happen off-camera, keep
the audience focused on the messageand not the hiccups.
After my segment on the programwrapped up, the technician an-
nounced, We now have 6.7 millionviewers! It was by far the largestaudience I have ever addressed. As
pleasant sensations of relief andsatisfaction sank in, I felt grateful
for Toastmasters, and how the skillsI learned through this wonderful
organization prepared me for theopportunity of a lifetime. T
Carl Duivenvoorden, DTM,served
as District 45 Governor in 2004-05. He lives in Upper Kingsclear,New Brunswick, Canada, and
works as a speaker, writer andsustainability consultant. You
can watch a brief summary of hisGreenland presentation at climaterealityproject.org/video. (Look forthe video titled Hour 22: Ilulissat,
Greenland.) Reach Carl via hiswebsite, changeyourcorner.com.
the deck, but the procedure was morecomplicated than expected, and left
no time for a run-through. Then myphone buzzed with an incoming text
from my sister in Toronto wishing mewell, and adding, Wowmore than4 million viewers now! Gasp.
I opted to use my computer as amakeshift teleprompter, since slides
were no longer an option. I grabbedseveral steel deck chairs, stacked them
in front of the camera and placed mycomputer on top, just below the view
of the camera lens. In the absence of
a timer to keep me on track, I openedthe stopwatch function on my phone,set it to zero and propped the phone
on top of the stack of chairs.As the clock ticked toward 7 p.m.,
the deck unexpectedly became frostyand slick. In fact, the producer slipped
and nearly fell just before we wentlive. Note to self: No sudden moves
once the presentation begins. At 7p.m., I put on my best friendly face
and listened through an earphone as
Then, about 20 minutes into the
speech, I heard the unmistakeable
buzz of a commuter plane and real-ized we were directly beneath theight path of the Ilulissat Airport.Again, I was challenged to hold alevel gaze, tone and volume as theplane buzzed overhead.
As the nal slide appeared onmy computer, I delivered a well-rehearsed closing. After the programhost thanked me, the producer saidClear, and that was it: 24 Hoursof Realityhad moved on.
Key Lessons
Even before the lights were takendown and the camera packed, I re-ected on the lessons I learned.
1The bigger the presentation, themore important it is to practice.This is a fundamental principle mostToastmasters learn early in theirspeaking journey, and it applies toany level of experience. Its also a keystrategy for conquering nervousness.
I have delivered many speeches, but
the prospect of speaking live to a global
audience brought back an unwelcome
friend: nervousness.
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28 WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
of the economy, many adults are back
in the classroom, in one form or anoth-er. Credible and appropriate research isthe shortest route to an A grade.
Budgeting (club treasurer, club
president): Club leaders make a number
of decisions about how monies areappropriated. What great training fordetermining our own family budgets.
Community service (A Fact-Finding
Report in the Speaking to Inform
manual): Most of us care aboutpeople and issues in our communities.Now we can take charge of a meetingor bring much-needed information to
a committee.
Conicts with teammates (Defusing
Verbal Communication in theInter-personal Communicationmanual):
Whose turn is it to bring sandwichesto the poker table? Nobody wantsto derail leisure activities with pettyquarrels. Toastmasters to the rescue.
Courtroom defense (The Speech to
Inform in Speaking to Inform; Table
Topics): My rst paid speaking en-gagement was when I defended myselfagainst a trafc ticket. The judge said
he liked my story so much that heknocked off $15 from my ne!
Customer service complaints
(Organize Your Speech in theCompetent Communicationmanual):
So youve waited in line for an hour
to return a computer. When its nallyyour turn, youll save time if you canbe clear and concise.
Creativity (Table Topicsmaster):When we exercise our creativity, wethink creatively in a variety of situa-tions, from problem solving to poetrywriting.
Dating (Conversing with Ease inInterpersonal Communication; clubmeetings): A good date requires good
conversation. And that requires goodlistening. We learn both in our clubmeetings.
Dieting (club meetings):Maybeits a stretch, but not much of one.Dieting is about focus, motivation,desire to succeed and discipline. Sois Toastmasters.
Entertaining children (InterpretiveReadingand Storytellingmanuals):Reading aloud and giving storytelling
By Caren S. Neile, Ph.D., ATMS
28 SURPRISING USES FOR
YOUR TOASTMASTERS SKILLS
Entertain at home, speak up at city hall,and impress at parties!
Ive often wondered where I
would be today if I hadnt joinedToastmasters. The lessons Ive
learned about speaking and leader-ship have transformed my profes-sional life in innite ways.